Socks: can’t sleep with them, can’t sleep without them. Sound familiar?
There are many valid reasons for wearing socks to bed, but the predominant need is often just plain old cold feet.
While there is a host of information on the web, for health concerns and underlying causes of cold feet, it’s best to check with a medical professional so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Here I’ll explore relevant solutions for cold feet, so you don’t have to, and back it up with ten years of research. Aka, my test subject who suffers from chronic cold feet.
After testing dozens of different socks for sleeping, with both men and women subjects, we concluded Farm to Feet is a wonderful choice for severely cold feet for men and their Cedar Falls over the calf sample will warm feet quickly. For women the best option is the foxy Emeryville model which not only keeps feet warm, but is comfortable to last the night.
Our Best Socks for Sleeping Options:
- Farm to feet women or men (best overall)
- Falke for men (best luxurious option)
- Hemp Oil Socks (a touch of spa)
- Cashmere bed socks (best looking)
- Heat Holders (best for chronic condition)
- Giesswein 3 pack (best value)
Bonus option:
- Microfiber (cutest option)
A Quality Choice for Sleep Socks for Men and Women by Material Type
#1 Farm to Feet (Best Overall)
For those who want a quality product that fits. Merino socks cost a little more, but they will last. These socks are ideal to warm cold feet; they won’t make your feet sweat or slouch. What we like is that they come up to the knee and therefore warm the circulating blood quickly.
Farm to Feet is proudly all American. While their brand is very popular with outdoor enthusiasts, we believe they make great sleeping socks. They offer several style options, strip off easily, and have all the benefits of merino wool. For sleeping, buy one size larger.
When my spouse mentions that he likes a product, we stick with the brand. He used to think he was allergic to wool too. For women, try.
Merino is the best natural wicking material as rated by industry professionals.
Specs
- Material: 45% merino, 51% nylon, 4% lycra
- in various men’s sizes
Pro
- Great fit
- Versatile
- Durable
- Extra cushion
- Seamless toe
- Reinforced knit
- Machine Washable
- Fashionable patterns
- Itch free
Con
- Designed for hiking (not sleeping)
- Expensive
- Special care instructions, not dryer friendly
Tip:
Taking care of your feet at any age is a must. That includes regular foot care like sloughing dead skin from soles, toenail clipping, cleaning, inspection. Like teeth, feet need to last you a lifetime.
#2 Falke (Best luxury option)
Falke is a German sock brand that stands out with a high insulating heat factor yet is a thin comfort texture. Perfect for those who enjoy products a cut above. Falke for men is a luxury sock. They offer merino, cashmere, and blends. A great option for cold feet in summer. For women and girls try these.
While the price for the sample sock is high, there are less expensive alternatives.
Specs
- Material: 75% virgin wool, 25% polyamide available
- in various sizes and colors
Pro
- Luxurious texture
- Fit like a second skin
- High quality
- Nice style
- non-restrictive
- Soft, flexible
- German quality
- Easy care
Cons
- Expensive to very expensive
- Traditional
- No cute factor
#3 Hemp oil socks (Best feeling)
Earth Therapeutics offers these super adorable socks that don’t cost a fortune and are good for cold and dry feet. They’re super soft and moisturize those chapped heels as you sleep.
Prolonged untreated cracked heels may also contribute to a poor sleep pattern. These moisturizing socks may help both issues.
Specs
- Material: 96% nylon, 3.7% polyester, 0.3% polyurethane,
- one size
Pro
- Moisturizing
- Super soft
- Slipper feel
- Slip off and on easy
- Perfect for women and girls
- 96% nylon poly blend
- Non-constrictive
- Easy care
Con
- One size
- Man-made material
- Lose moisturizing feature after 15 washes
#4 Cashmere bed socks (Best looking)
Because you deserve a goodnight’s sleep. Cashmere is perhaps the ultimate material for bed socks for the person who desires the best. Cashmere is even more effective for warming than merino wool.
The White Company also makes a luxurious version for the man with cold feet.
Specs
- Material: 100% Cashmere
- one size
Pro
- Luxurious cashmere wool
- Unrestrictive fit
- Super warm
- Nice color selection
- Perfect for gift giving
- Heavenly texture
- Great customer reviews
Con
- Expensive
- Hand wash only
- Cashmere may pill (nature of the material)
For other affordable cashmere socks, the options are endless.
#5 Heat Holders (Best for Chronic Conditions)
Some people need slip-grippers, and Heat Holders(™) are a good option. These little socks will heat frozen feet instantly with their thermal yarn quality and knit brushing process and keep you safe on night journeys. Ideal for non-fussy people.
They’re 7x warmer than cotton socks and would be ideal for someone in the hospital and or with limited mobility. Comfy cotton liner.
Specs
- Material: 91% acrylic, 5% nylon, 3% poly 1% cotton
- One size
Pro
- Super traction
- Heat quickly
- Stay warm
- True to size
- Fun patterns and colors
- Cozy texture
- Easy care
- Versatile as socks or slippers
- Popular and satisfied customers
Con
- Difficult to stay on feet
- Soles may tear easily
- Pilling
- Costly
- Synthetic material
#6 Giesswein 3 pack (Best Value)
For affordable high-quality merino socks, the Giesswein 3-pack option is perfect. These versatile mid-calf socks are ideal for sleep socks or everyday wear. The high merino wool content makes them warm, and the synthetic count makes them stay true to your foot shape.
The self-regulating temperature of merino wool makes them ideal for both men and women.
Specs
- Material: 31% merino 31% acrylic, 3% polyamide, 2% elastane
- Mens and women’s size
Pro
- High quality
- Affordable
- Machine washable
- Perfect fit
- Men’s and women
- Nice color and pattern option
- Odor resistant
- Seamless
Cons
- Air dry
- Designed for hiking
#7 Microfiber (Cutest of them all)
Goes to these Fuzzy Warm Slipper socks that make a perfect companion for cold feet. These sleep socks can easily transition into slippers and boot socks. With over forty fun design and pack options, these are perfect for those who want to match their PJs or jeans.
They would be a hit with young and old and make a wonderful gift option.
Specs
- Material: microfiber made from polyester and spandex
- One size women and children
Pro
- Fun pattern and color designs
- Multiple pack size options
- Plush
- Transition from bed to boot
- Light texture
- Inexpensive
- Very popular
- Amazon Choice rating
- Easy care
Con
- 100% manufactured material
- Questionable quality
- Sizing issues
- Unreliable pack content
- Linty
- Reviews fluctuate
What to Consider When Shopping for Sleep Socks
If you suffer from cold feet, and a touch of insomnia, sleeping well becomes an annoying issue. Socks may just be socks to some, for others bad quality socks only contribute to the problem.
For my family, socks woven with merino or cashmere work best and we discovered Farm to Feet socks by chance.
Material is the key; brand and style are secondary considerations.
Educate Yourself About Material Options
Remember how we’re all created equal? However, I’ve discovered cheap, unnatural fibers can worsen cold feet symptoms. Cheap socks may make your feet sweat and feel cold.
That’s undoubtedly because they’re cheap and you have a drawer full.
Not all synthetic fibers are created equal either.
Technology has improved materials and introduced wicking fabrics that absorb moisture away from the skin. Combining high-quality natural materials and wicking technology produces perfect sleep socks for men and women.
Wool
Wool socks aren’t medieval or something your grandpa wore because grandma knit them.
What exactly is wool? It comes from the fur of animals like sheep, goats, camels, alpaca, and even rabbits. It’s spun into familiar types like merino, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, camel, virgin, pashmina, and angora wool.
I want to highlight that wool has many benefits. Wool socks aren’t itchy, stinky, hard to care for, too hot, and too expensive. Those are myths. Unless you are sensitive or allergic to wool.
There are many quality options on the market.
Wool has survived as a garment material for thousands of years. Although synthetic materials like wicking fabrics have a purpose, wool already does it naturally and is renewable.
Benefits of wool
- Breathable
- Keeps skin dry
- Warm when wet
- Self-regulating heat
- High performance and wearability
- Absorbs and repels
- Low flammability
- Odor resistant
- Anti-microbial
What About Cotton?
Cotton has long held a reputation as a breathable material and, like wool, has been used for thousands of years. It has fallen out of favor with the invention of artificial materials. While cotton is not an ideal material for outdoor adventure socks, I wouldn’t rule it out as an option for sleeping.
Cotton is a plant-based material and a great vegan choice. It’s also great for those needing the benefit of wearing sleep socks while using intensive foot moisturizing treatments to heal those painful fissures on your soles.
Benefits of cotton
- Breathable
- Durable
- Hypoallergenic
- Organic texture
- Versatile
- Low maintenance
- Odor resistant
- Inexpensive
- Renewable
Hemp Is Not Illegal
It’s hailed as super-fiber because of its high yield and low impact on the environment. It’s also regarded as a hippie-culture product and perhaps that isn’t fair. Cotton’s as old as wool and cotton. Hemp is a great vegan alternative. This natural-based fiber is 8 X stronger than cotton.
Benefits of hemp
- Breathable
- Temperature regulating
- Organic
- Durable
- Classic linen texture
- High quality
Wicking Synthetics
Technology is everything. Perhaps wool and cotton’s biggest competitor are man-made fabrics from the synthetic family and fall under polyester, fleece, spandex, lycra, gore-tex, nylon, microfiber, acrylic, rayon, and others. Our garment industry wouldn’t be the same without those flexible materials.
Athletes and extreme sports enthusiasts are huge purveyors of wicking synthetics.
Benefits of wicking synthetics
- Repel water
- Versatile
- Dry quickly
- Stretchable
- Durable
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight
- Easy care
While many may argue, I find synthetic garments uncomfortable. Synthetic technology has significantly advanced; yet it doesn’t work for my spouse or me. It makes us sweat. Perhaps we’ve never discovered the right product.
Bamboo and silk are also options, I simply don’t have any experience to share.
Tip:
While classic mid-calf socks might be your standard, consider ankle socks, footsies, slouch socks, or full-length knee socks. Look for seamless socks that have elasticity without being constricting.
Analyzing the Problem of Cold Feet
Sometimes cold feet come with related issues. Let’s establish your needs besides cold feet.
Perhaps you suffer from painful cracked heels, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease, circulatory concerns, pregnancy, menopause, age-related, major health issues, or surgery.
High-quality sleep socks may help relieve some of those symptoms. Cold feet don’t just affect women, though statistically, men are less prone.
Sometimes trial and error is the only way to eliminate the good from the bad. We all have unique likes but to make a wise decision we need to understand the basics.
Eliminate What Type of Socks Not to wear to Bed
- Avoid compression or restrictive socks unless your medical condition warrants prescription compression socks for sleeping
- Slippery material in case you’re going on a midnight journey
- Sweat causing non-breathable fiber
- Allergy causing fiber
- Difficult to strip off in the middle of the night
Tip:
For a simple, quick, and practical fix, try warmed microwave socks—but not all socks fit all feet.
Remedies to Try Along With Sleep Socks
Of course, massaging cold feet is wonderful, but its effect is short-lived and not always practical.
Try wiggling your toes under the blanket; rotating from the ankle. I hear you: done that.
How about doing light exercise before going to bed? That’s what that exercise bike or treadmill is for.
What about rice socks? Ever heard of it? A perfect use for those unusable socks you bought.
All it takes is filling uncooked rice into a stretchy, long sock without holes. Tie with a ribbon or microwave-safe band, and for an aromatic infusion add preferred essential oil. Heat in the microwave for 1-3 minutes and voila— hot feet, dry bed.
My Champion Best Sleep Socks
The one my husband likes. If he’s happy, I’m happy. My second choice would be these no-show footies for women made by Farm to Feet.
Conclusion
There’s a huge market for sleep socks for women, men, and children. Finding your best sleeping socks isn’t a challenge when you have information to make a sound decision.
Understanding that perhaps your needs are more complex and can’t be solved with tube socks. Consider quality over quantity as a good rule of thumb. For a quick link to buy your next sleep sock set: shop direct from Farm to Feet or shop here.
